Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-02
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
The best way to provide enough homes in large cities is to build tall apartment blocks.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Student answer (Band 7.0)
The best way to provide adequate housing in metropolitan areas is to construct tall residential buildings. I completely agree with this statement because high-rise buildings can accommodate more people while reducing the cost of housing.
One major reason for constructing tall apartments is that they can help reduce the housing shortage. High-rise buildings allow a large number of homes to be built on a relatively small piece of land. For example, a plot of land that could accommodate only one four-bedroom house could instead be used to construct an apartment building containing several units for different families. As a result, more people can have access to housing without requiring large amounts of additional land. This can also reduce the pressure on governments to provide new residential areas.
Another advantage of tall apartments is that they can be more affordable for residents. When many households live in the same building, the costs of facilities such as security, maintenance and infrastructure can be shared among them. This can make both purchasing and renting apartments less expensive than owning a detached house. For instance, a person who buys a private house may have to pay the full cost of the land, construction and security, whereas these expenses can be distributed among residents in an apartment building. Consequently, people may be able to save money and enjoy a more comfortable standard of living.
In conclusion, I strongly agree that constructing tall residential buildings is an effective way to provide adequate housing in metropolitan areas. This is because they can accommodate more people on limited land and can also make housing more affordable.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response clearly addresses the prompt and maintains a consistent position throughout. The arguments regarding land efficiency and cost-sharing are well-developed and supported with logical examples, such as the comparison between a detached house and an apartment unit. The introduction and conclusion effectively frame the argument. To reach a higher band, you could consider acknowledging the potential drawbacks of high-rise living, such as social isolation or lack of green space, and then refuting them. This would provide a more balanced and nuanced discussion, demonstrating a deeper exploration of the topic beyond a one-sided argument.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two main body paragraphs is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'One major reason', 'As a result', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the relationship between ideas is clear throughout. To improve further, ensure that you vary your cohesive devices slightly more to avoid a somewhat mechanical feel, though the current usage is already quite effective and clear.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases like 'metropolitan areas', 'housing shortage', and 'distributed among residents' show a solid command of topic-specific language. The word choice is generally precise and natural. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more sophisticated or less common collocations and idiomatic expressions. For example, instead of 'reduce the cost', you could use 'alleviate financial burdens', or instead of 'more affordable', you might use 'economically viable'. The current vocabulary is sufficient and accurate, but lacks a degree of flair or academic sophistication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses and relative clauses (e.g., 'a plot of land that could accommodate...'). The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is handled well, and the sentences are easy to follow. The majority of your sentences are error-free, which is a strong indicator of your control. To reach the highest band, ensure that you consistently use a wider range of complex structures, perhaps incorporating more passive voice or inversion for emphasis, while maintaining the high level of accuracy you have already achieved.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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